Jeannie Longo, 52, has won the time trial in the French national championships
for a fourth straight year as the veteran cyclist claimed her 58th national
title in road and track events.

The former Olympic and world champion finished the 19-kilometre course in 29 minutes 45 seconds. She finished 42 seconds ahead of Christel Ferrier-Bruneau and 52 in front of Audrey Cordon to win an 11th national time trial gold.

Longo said earlier this year she was struggling to find the motivation to keep cycling and hinted at retirement.

Having first competed at the Olympics in 1984 in Los Angeles, Longo won the road race gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She also has nine road world championship golds and four titles at the world track championships.

Longo, born October 31, 1958, won her first national title in 1979 and will compete in the women's national road race on Saturday.